Bumblebee Workers Show Differences in Allele-Specific DNA Methylation and Allele-Specific Expression.

ABSTRACT: Allele-specific expression is when one allele of a gene shows higher levels of expression compared with the other allele, in a diploid organism. Recent work has identified allele-specific expression in a number of Hymenopteran species. However, the molecular mechanism which drives this allelic expression bias remains unknown. In mammals, DNA methylation is often associated with genes which show allele-specific expression. DNA methylation systems have been described in species of Hymenoptera, providing a candidate mechanism. Using previously generated RNA-Seq and whole-genome bisulfite sequencing from reproductive and sterile bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) workers, we have identified genome-wide allele-specific expression and allele-specific DNA methylation. The majority of genes displaying

SUBMITTER: Marshall H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7502211 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature